Interesting poll via CNN, the results of which put a finger on much of what is misunderstood about the electorate in the United States of America. The headline is: Majority says government a threat to citizens’ rights.

A majority of Americans think the federal government poses a threat to rights of Americans, according to a new national poll.

Fifty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday say they think the federal government’s become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Forty-four percent of those polled disagree.

The survey indicates a partisan divide on the question: only 37 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Independents and nearly 7 in 10 Republicans say the federal government poses a threat to the rights of Americans.

While it says, “only 37 percent percent of Democrats” believe this, I would rephrase that as “even 37 percent of Democrats” feel this way. When you’re losing independents to the tune of 63 percent on this issue, you sure can’t afford to also be losing over a third of Democrats. Of-course this doesn’t translate to easily predictable votes; it merely shows tendencies, and the mood of the electorate after over a year of a liberal Democratic president and a House and Senate controlled by Democrats.

Seeing this poll, I was also reminded of an exceptionally infuriating article I read on the BBC some time ago (right after the election of Scott Brown, R-MA), with the headline, “Why do people vote against their own interests?” The article wondered why on earth people who “stood to benefit” from President Obama’s health-care reorganization would cast a vote to stop it. The gist of the explanation offered by the dedicated liberal experts was that people feel they are striking a blow against “elitism” when they vote against those who claim to know what’s best for them. Basically, we were told, Republicans know better how to speak the language of the dumb Joe and Jane Schmoes out there, and convince them instead to vote against their own interests and for the interests of the landed classes. The incredible condescension of this analysis is the infuriating part, of-course.

This latest poll on people’s perception of the dangerous size and power of the federal government should offer greater clarity to those foreign press outlets who might seek it. Although in Britain and much of Europe these battles were long since ceded (to the extent they even took place in those very different cultures), in the United States it is still a given that most citizens place an actual value on their independence, and their ability to live their lives and make choices for themselves without government interference. Although those who have promoted a strong and overreaching federal government have certainly won many battles here as well, the fact is that the underlying war continues. In America there will always (please God) be push-back against the hungry and devouring nanny-state.

With regard to health-care, it goes something like this: Given a choice between a government which tells them that they will have some financial benefit from reforms which give that government greater control, or, instead, not receiving those financial benefits but retaining the freedom to seek and receive health-care in any way that they may choose (despite the cost), more Americans obviously favor the latter. Freedom is not (yet) an empty concept to a majority of Americans, including those who are not wealthy. And the importance of having the right to makes one’s own decisions is never clearer than when dealing with issues of life and death; for oneself, or for a loved one. This is not some kind of con that the dastardly Republicans are putting over on poor, gullible Americans. This is just how they are. (Even Republican politicians, indeed, sometimes forget this to their cost.)

Polls are polls, and should never be confused with truth. Yet, I will forgive myself for taking some genuine encouragement from this one today.

…

Addendum: And this one ain’t bad either: 78% say government spending is out of control, and 59% do not trust the federal government. It could be suggested that this is a tricky electoral environment for those who propose more government as the answer.

From section: Commentary, Politics / 1 Comment »